According to Helen Merrill, director, the show is pertinent to the area because it tells the story of three men who would feel right at home in Chautauqua County.

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From left: Skip Anderson, Jim Foley and Vince Joy Jr. will perform in the Little Theatre production of “Guys On Ice,” which opens Jan. 25.Submitted photo

"It's relevant to people of our locale because it takes place in Wisconsin, which is predominantly Swedish, and we have a lot of Swedish people in Jamestown," said Merrill. "We also have the beautiful Chautauqua Lake where people go ice fishing and this story is about two men who love the sport. It's also about football, and I know that there are Green Bay Packers fans out there."

The story focuses on three men: Vince Joy as Marvin, Skip Anderson as Lloyd and Jim Foley as Ernie. The three characters spend a Wisconsin winter day in a shanty on the ice. While ice fishing, and waiting for the host of a television fishing show they've been invited to appear on, the three men talk about life, love and the one who got away.

"Everybody, of all ages, is going to like it," said Merrill. "It's a very funny story, and it tells it in a different way. The music is neat, and it is all original so you've never heard it before."

The show will feature musical numbers such as "The Wishing Hole," "Ode to a Snowmobile Suit," "Fish is the Miracle Food" and "The One That Got Away."

"They talk about the one that got away, or the fish that got away," said Merrill. "Which is relating to Lloyd, whose wife just left him because she is mad at him because he wanted to go to the Green Bay Packers game instead of taking her out to dinner for their anniversary. At the end Lloyd sings a wonderful ballad about the one that got away, and it could mean the fish or the wife. But, at the end of the show he ends up giving his tickets to Marvin, who invites the girl he loves that is a big Packers fan, and Lloyd takes his wife Debbie out to dinner."

Ernie's role in the show is primarily for comic relief as he mooches off everyone by borrowing everything that he can get his hands on.

"There are a couple surprise things in the show that I think the audience is just going to howl at," said Merrill.

The show also enters philosophical territory with a number that asks each character, "What would you do if you knew this was your last day on Earth?"

"I have tears in my eyes when I hear them sing," said Merrill. "It makes you stop and wonder, if you knew this was your last day on Earth, how would you spend it?"

Tickets can be reserved by calling 483-1095, or they can also be purchased at the door for $20. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $10 per person.

"Get out of the January doldrums and come on down to the Lucille Ball Little Theatre to laugh, tap your feet and maybe even shed a tear with 'Guys On Ice,'" said Merrill.

Lucille Ball Little Theatre's next production, "Desperate Hours," which is directed by Anne Eklund, is set to open in March. A Junior Guilder's production entitled "The Incredible Journey," is set for May. And, a musical based on the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," entitled "Spamalot," is scheduled for October.

The Lucille Ball Little Theatre is located at 18 E. Second St. in Jamestown. For more information call 483-1095 or visit lucilleballlittletheater.org.